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Top 13 ways Hickenlooper says he’s probably (but not officially) running for president

By 01/30/2019 | updated 7 years ago

John Hickenlooper has spent months dropping fat hints that he’s thinking of running for president. But he just can’t bring himself to say he’s running.

That’s probably for legal and campaign-regulatory reasons, as 9News’ Steve Staeger explores here.

But it means that Colorado’s former governor has to keep coming up with coy, clever ways to say he’s probably gonna run, pretty likely to run, thinking hard about running, without coming right out and saying he’s running. Not yet, anyway.

We here at Colorado Politics have been enjoying Hick’s verbal gymnastics on the matter. And we’ve compiled some of our favorites among his varied answers to the question: “So, are you running for president?” Click through the slideshow above.

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Reaching for the right words: Will John Hickenlooper run for president? Here are 13 of his answers to that question ….
(Photo by David Zalubowski/AP)
“I’ve been known to play a little cards. Given that there is still uncertainty in the future, I probably would take the bet that I would run for president.”- In a CNN interview Jan. 24
(Screen shot)
“[I’m] not quite to that point [of announcing a run for president].”- At the U.S. Council of Mayors meeting in Washington on Jan. 24, per the New York Post
(Screen shot)
“We’re making progress [on a decision].”- To reporters after his last press conference as governor on Jan. 3, per Marianne Goodland of Colorado Politics
(Colorado Politics file photo)
“We’re beyond mulling [a presidential run]. I think we’re engaging people I’ve known and trusted and understand some of the subtleties around running for the highest office.”- In an Associated Press interview in December 2018
“To keep the possibility [of running] alive, you’ve got to go through certain steps.”- To Marshal Zelinger of 9News in an interview on Next with Kyle Clark in November 2018, just before election day
(Screen shot courtesy of KUSA-9News, Denver)
“I’m the governor of Colorado and I’m going to run for president.”… followed by …”To be honest, I haven’t made a final decision, and if I say I’m absolutely going to, then there are all kinds of legal ramifications. … I’m leaning strongly.”- To a woman at a diner in Hooksett, New Hampshire, on Oct. 31, captured on video by Adam Sexton, political director for WMUR, the ABC affiliate TV station in Manchester, N.H.
(Screen shot)
“I think we’re going to wait until February or March to really make a final decision. … We’ve certainly been spending a lot more time thinking about it and I think getting more excited.”- To New Hampshire reporter Paul Steinhauser, Oct. 31
(Screen shot)
“I think there’s a pretty high probability that we’re going to go ahead and do it.”- In a meeting with Democratic activists in Iowa in mid-October 2018 per the Des Moines Register newspaper
(Screen shot)
“Once you do it, it’s full-time, seven days a week, 70-80 hours a week for, quite possibly, two years. I think when you make that kind of commitment, you had better have thought of all the ramifications, not just for myself, but for my family – for my wife, for my son.”- In an interview Sept. 17 with Colorado Public Radio host Ryan Warner
(Screen shot)
“I’ve done politics for 15 years … and I still feel like I’m on the steep side of the learning curve. It’s been very, very useful to talk to people and say, ‘What are the sacrifices?’, ‘What does it take to be successful?’ We’re still working on it.”- At an Axios event in Denver in August 2018
“I think running for it would be really fun.”- To TV host Aaron Harber in July 2018
(Photo by Boots Gifford, special to Colorado Politics)
“My wife and I have been talking about it for a couple of months and talking to old friends whose opinions we respect and trust. We’ll try and sort through it this summer.”- To The Hill in June 2018
(Screen shot)
“At some time I want to sit down and spend some time to think about it. … Maybe this summer.”- To Colorado Politics contributor Tom Ramstack in April 2018
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